Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Sunday, Sept. 14
Best bet: WHISTLER'S STYLE (9)
Best value: AWESOME CZECH (4)
FIRST: Salt Princess bounced in last after improved placing in prior; rebounds. Two by Two by Two made wide rally when third in last; dangerous. Miss Call fired 5-furlong bullet since useful fourth in debut; dangerous.
SECOND: Atenea, a game second in last, could capitalize on softer pace flow today. Dancingwithdestiny will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Ticket to Ride displayed improved speed in last; don't overlook.
THIRD: Remember the Chief fired crisp half-mile drill for first start in 12 weeks; improvement predicted. Seeker's Hope exits non-stressful fourth in last; dangerous. Nice Try Riley adds blinkers after showing improved early foot in last; very interesting.
FOURTH: Awesome Czech tallied sharp final fraction when winning last; takes another. Lady Firefoot should pack intensified wallop with cutback to shorter route. Edict is speedy and could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead.
FIFTH: Alan Turing was a willing second in last; more to come. Launch Control is training sharply for first start in nearly 15 months. Van Vollenhoven is feet-footed and should be aided by cutback to sprint.
SIXTH: Fort Griffin is from a dam that has produced a 2-year-old winner. Capanaparo was second to a repeat winner in debut; dangerous. Bod Beach owns two seconds and a third from three starts; obvious contender.
SEVENTH: Bryant and Cooper drops into claimer for Chad Brown; tight work tab seals the deal. Dancin Jane tallied solid numbers when breaking maiden last out; big-time player. Proud Mary displayed out-of-the-blue speed in last; worth long look.
EIGHTH: I'm Buzzy should make forward move after non-stressful fifth in last. Catchphrase gets confident two-level price boost for new barn after game placing in last; very interesting. Melle Mel is another that jumps in price after winning most recent; must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Whistler's Style gets an added furlong after hard-charging second in last; keeps on giving. Spring Magic is speedy, drops and handles the distance; very dangerous. Dolce Sera logged both lifetime wins at the Big A; price will be tempting. Pens Street takes suspicious price plunge for Linda Rice; fire sale?
